Rapid weight loss/inability to eat

[aswest]

I have a 47 year-old brother.  He has lost 30 lbs. in the last month.  He's unable to take more than 3 bites of food at a time.  If he takes more than that, he throws up.  He has burning/cramping sensations in his stomach all the time.  He is very fatigued, as well.  He went to the doctor last week for bloodwork and he had blood in his stool.  When my brother eats, he said the food gets to where his sternum is located, then it feels like it gets stuck.  His doctor mentioned that this could all be due to some form of cancer, so we're all quite worried.  He is 5'6" and now weighs 132 lbs.  Any ideas as to what might be going on would be appreciated.  He is a heavy smoker and also suffers from discoid lupus. His test results are due back today. Thanks.

[aswest]

I would like to give another update on my brother.  Last Mon., he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and ended up having his entire stomach removed.  His cancer was in Stage IV and has progressed to his lymph nodes.  At this point, his doctor has given him anywhere from 6 months to a year to live.  We are all just devasted by the news, but we're still hoping and praying for a miracle.  I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows someone with advanced stomach cancer.  There is no history of stomach cancer in our family.  I'd like to know the causes for it and should I and my other brother be screened?  Thanks.

[MAF31]

Sounds just like GERD and gastritis! If you go to Heartburn-Help.com, you will see a lot of the same symptoms.

[bumtummy]

ask them to do a gastric emptying test (though if he can't eat, that might present a problem). There is a medication called domperidone, which is helpful in emptying the stomach. You have to get it online unless you can go to Canada or Mexico (not that it's not safe, just not marketed here), or have someone else go. Have him ask his doctor about gastroparesis, which is a stomach motility disorder. His symptoms are classic.

[kare]

It was suggested to me to take Domperidone for an esophagus problem. Domperidone does not enter the brain as other similar medications do like Reglan and Propulcid. It is used by nursing mothers to increase milk production. It has also been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics. So it is a very safe medication. It is just not being sold here in the United States yet. It has been available in other countries since 1978. It is even sold over the counter in some countries. It is actually much cheaper to buy it from Pharmacycare in New Zealand than from the other countries. I was just curious as to how it helps empty stomach?

[Romy]

What an insensitive doctor to throw the word cancer out without doing extensive testing.  My Mom had stomach cancer and for years she had no symptoms at all.  Just because the pain is severe, it does not have to be cancer.

Romy

[aswest]

Just wanted to post a bit of an update.  My brother got the results back yesterday from his bloodwork and no ulcer was detected.  He's now been referred on to a GI doctor for further evaluation.  Does anyone know if a hiatel hernia could cause rapid weight loss, vomiting, fatigue and a burning sensation behind the sternum?  He's lost another pound since Friday.  He simply can't go on like this.